Parts availability
 

So it hit me hard today, practically no one is left running older Cadets and therefore dealers stock basically NOTHING for these. Long story short, pulled the engine out of my 1811 to put in a new coil. Found out the coupler for driveshaft was SHOT. So bad it ruined the driveshaft and the front 2 flex couplings. I'm kind of ticked off, I put in all of that (including the driveshaft) about 4 years ago. Anyway, I called dealers all over NC and Va (4 of which were/are Case IH dealers). So of the at least 7 dealers I called, only 1 had anything (the flex couplings). Seeing how the mower is down and I really need this one for mowing some sketchy places (loaded ag tires make the difference), I placed an order directly with Cadet and paid a ridiculous shipping fee so I can get it back together this weekend--forecast is too wet for outdoor work so good time to go to the shop.

Anyway, more or less rambling/observing and reminiscing about how things used to be.

You could have got your parts from CC Specialties and Parts from Jeff (our sponsors) listed at the top of the page with NO problems.

:beerchug:

I'm sure they could, along with 5 or 6 other internet suppliers. My point is local dealers, even the ones that have been dealers since the original made its debut, are no longer carrying fairly common parts, even for stuff made in the 80's. I was hoping to get pretty close by and order it for next day delivery. When I need parts, its normally for planned rebuilds and repairs--this one was quite unexpected.

John,
It's an inventory thing, if they don't sell something in a season, it is history,
We are Dinosaurs as is our old machinery.
The "lawnmowers/ lawn tractors" today are throwaway with a life expectancy of 7 years.
And most of the kids working there never saw a set of breaker points or a Carburetor.
Our vehicles are the same way.
What I find troubling is the period between dealer stocked parts and when the aftermarket picks up the parts sales.
Then there is the period after that when it is custom made parts only or NOS.
Hell one can't even go to a recycling/junk yard for vehicles and find anything over 15 years old most times.
it is what it is.
I don't like it, but accept it.
It is business sense.
I have been lucky as i'm still turning wrenches and crawling under them @ 75, and still enjoy it.
Most of my friends are worm food, the ones that survived are in assisted living.
Thank you lord for my time :beerchug:

I know what you are saying John. My dealer didn't stock anything but he could usually have it in 4-5 days. I learned to live with that but 1 year ago he shut the doors for good.

I'm having a similar time with a truck engine I am rebuilding/building up a bit. Im having to get everything online for this slant 6 that I am working on. Some places in town show a listing but parts are in some warehouse 5 states away, can get them quicker online, also don't like waiting cuz that also hold's up the machine shop. Besides that not really in a hurry.
Getting parts for cast iron kohler's is definitely getting harder, it's like Kohler seems embarrassed to admit they made such a durable heavy duty engine at one time....

That is common now with most any old machinery. As long as I can still GET IT, I am happy to wait a few days.

Now those "lazy" 6 poppers, were a screamer.
They said that slant 6 would never replace the old Chrysler industrial 6 flat head that preceded it.
Well it not only did, but was a better engine.
I remember them well when they debuted in '59,
they put them in hi-lows, ice cream trucks, and combines, as well as anything else that needed a good work engine.
As a young pup I remember a willeys gasser that ran Detroit dragway with a slant 6 and it ran dam good, he shifted it @ 10,000 rpm's and OH the Sound of that little screamin' six.
They used to advertise that car on the radio commercials, hyping that he shifted it at 10,000
it would bring goose bumps up on yer neck and arms,, at full song!
I wished I remembered his Et's but it was good enough to put a lot of Detroits best on the trailer!

The thing about Detroit dragway was there was a hell of a lot of "back-door" sponsorship from the big 3 and a lot of the young engineers put their new ideas from paper to pre production prototypes on the track.
Ramchargers was just one of them, but
Ford & Gm had their "dealer" sponsored cars running proto/one-of-a-kind stuff.

Good times, and better memories :beerchug:
Last Sunday again,
I went by the entrance way where Detroit Dragway once stood,
the little house is still there,
but the Dragway is just a memory as a warehouse now stands where the track was.
Sad,
there should be a little plaque or marker where it stood.
It is history that should be noted being part of Detroits heyday of automotive
Superiority.
Sorry,
rambling again.

The death of Americana :Cry1:

But just think, we have ‘the cloud’!